Kahoka Medical Clinic to join Blessing Physician Services

Kahoka Medical Clinic and its providers and staff will join Blessing Physician Services (BPS) on March 1, 2017.
BPS, established in 2005 as part of the Blessing Health System, is a multi-specialty practice group that serves residents of western Illinois, northeast Missouri and southeast Iowa. BPS operates medical offices in Quincy as well as rural clinics in Warsaw, IL and Palmyra, MO.

Dr. John Beckert established his practice in Kahoka in 1970. Drs. Matthew and Brigitte Cormier joined him in 2000. Brigitte is Dr. Becker’s daughter.

Both parties say becoming a part of Blessing will allow the Kahoka Medical Clinic to make critical improvements that have been out of reach, such as changing from paper to an electronic medical record system.

“I’ve had success working with Blessing for the last 47 years,” Dr. Beckert said. “I’ve managed the Clinic for all those years,” he continued. “Now I’m going to work for the Clinic and Blessing will manage it.”

“I’m excited, ready and anxious,” said Dr. Brigitte Cormier, “I know the community is, too. Among the benefits of joining with Blessing is creating easier access to specialists, which will greatly benefit this community.”
In addition, she says joining BPS will benefit the Clinic’s loyal and hard-working staff.

“Because we are a small practice, we were not able to offer employee benefits,” said Dr. Cormier. “For our staff to have access to those will be a plus.”

In addition to the Clinic’s seven staff members and Drs. Beckert and Brigitte Cormier, Dr. Matthew Cormier, who recently joined BPS and sees patients in Quincy at the Blessing Health Center, also continues to serve part-time at the Clinic.

“Blessing Health System believes people should not have to leave their home community to get the level of healthcare they deserve,” said Maureen Kahn, RN, MHA, MSN, president/chief executive officer, Blessing Health System. “However, changes in the healthcare delivery and reimbursement systems are making it nearly impossible for rural, independent providers to continue to deliver the care their communities need. BPS wants to stand with Drs. Beckert and Cormier, providing them and their team with the support needed to meet the health needs of Clark County area residents for many years to come.”

“We could not be more excited,” said Scott Koelliker, executive vice president, BPS. “The transition process will be as seamless as possible. Patients should notice nothing more than cosmetic changes to the Clinic. The caring the Clinic provides will not change.”

Koelliker says BPS will arrange for additional provider coverage as needed, for when Drs. Beckert and Cormier need to be away from the office to attend educational seminars or for personal time off. BPS will also arrange for coverage of Dr. Beckert’s duties as medical director of the Clark County Nursing Home when he needs to be away. Dr. Beckert has served the nursing home as medical director for 47 years.

Dr. Beckert assures his patients he has no plans to retire.

“My grandpa worked until he was 98 before he retired. I don’t know if I’ll beat that record. We’ll see,” he said.
Dr. Brigitte Cormier will continue to provide obstetric services at Scotland County Memorial Hospital.